Extensive compressor reviews and FAQ

FMR RNLA: This is the newer cousin of the RNC, and is in the same 1/3 rack stereo line-level format. It is advertised as having a more "colored" tone and "gooey" compression action, and I can kind of agree with that description, although those qualities are much more subtle than you might expect based on the ad copy.
 
The noise level is extremely low, and the highs and lows are not notably rolled off, but distortion is still a problem, just like with the RNC. At most settings there is a slight "click" of distortion on the attack, and I was only able to avoid that by setting both the attack and the release to their slowest settings, and choosing a low ratio. At fast settings the distortion is flatulent and obnoxious, like a motorboat. Also, at all settings there is a weird "crackling" static-like sound on the sustain of each note. It is completely different from the click of hitting the threshold, unrelated to that, and it sounds like a bad wiring connection. However I'm fairly sure it is not a bad connection, because I was able to increase the amount of the crackling noise by choosing a faster release time, or a higher ratio, or by switching on the "log" release setting. Also the noise goes away completely when I hit the bypass switch. This crackling sound is so totally unacceptable that I wonder if the unit I got is defective.
 
I had initially planned to ask FMR about this, send them some recordings of the distortion and crackling that I hear, and make such adjustments/mods/repairs as might be needed. But frankly I don't have time for that. I have gotten such good results from such a wide range of other compressors, that I don't want to spend all kinds of time and effort trying to figure out why this one is such a pain in the ass. For what it's worth, FMR has suggested a mod for improved bass response in the RNLA, which involves replacing two capacitors. But I have not done this mod, as the components in question are SMD (miniature) and I don't have the tools for SMD work. And frankly I think it's bogus that such a mod would even be necessary.
 

 
 
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